Uganda: Joshua Baraka shares Growing Pains EP

Featuring plush production from frequent collaborator and beatsmith Axon, All Africa Music Award winner Baraka shares a timely project for his fans just in time for the holidays.

The Ugandan trailblazer released the project after the success of his chart-topping single ‘Nana’ single, announcing him as one of the brightest young stars from East Africa.

Baraka’s earlier EP’s – Watershed and Baby Steps – feature his Ugandan peers Izabelug and Lagum, but on Growing Pains, the artist opts for international collaborations, familiar production and brazen delivery.

The seven-track EP was preceded by the singles ‘No Lie’ and ‘Dreams’, and features guest appearances by Ghana’s Yaw Tog and Nigeria’s Magixx. It also includes a remix of ‘Nana’ with Joeboy, King Promise, Bien and Dr.Ish.

“This is my third project and it means a lot to me,” Baraka said. “From the title, it’s about all the struggles I’ve gone through in my career from when I started until now. For me, to be where I am currently is unbelievable sometimes. I wanted to share how much I’ve grown, the things I had to sacrifice, and the things I had to go through in order to make it here.”

Growing Pains highlights Baraka’s evolution. Incorporating his love of dancehall, R&B and production, the EP deals with everything, from family conflicts to romantic engagements, with a maturity that points to skilful songwriting.

At 22 years old, Baraka is one of the the fastest rising stars in Uganda. The singer, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist, born and brought up in the capital Kampala, was initially reluctant to play onstage until a friend convinced him to play at a wedding in 2020. He was rewarded handsomely after the show and he decided to quit school and pursue music full time thereafter. His role models include Bob Marley and Chronixx.